Robert Philip DiRenzo, 83
Robert Phillip DiRenzo passed away February 18, 2025. He was born February 27, 1941, to Angelo and Margaret (DelSignore) and raised in Acton.
He met his wife Valerie (Coss), and they married on February 25, 1961. They welcomed six children; Dawn, Cynthia, Suzanne, Robert Jr., Anthony, and Daniel. Together they welcomed 20 grandchildren who range in age from 42 years to 4 months, as well as eight great-grandchildren.
Known to many as “Papa,” Robert was a proud man. He was proud of his collections, his gnocchi “rats” and his meat sauce, his homemade limoncello, and his aloe plants. He was, however, most fiercely proud of his family. Papa was the family archivist — always wielding a (sometimes unsteady) camcorder to document birthdays and vacations. His legendary grouchy charm was matched only by the warmth and genuine affection he showed his family. Beneath the facade was a man who reveled in hosting cookouts, poker nights, and Sunday dinners.
With his wife Valerie, he enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas, Aruba, Florida, Germany, Oak Bluffs, Italy, and France. He made several trips to his father’s village of Carpineto Della Nora and discovered many family members. With his grandchildren, he visited important cultural landmarks, including The Eiffel Tower, The Leaning Tower of Pisa, and John Belushi’s grave.
Robert was proud of his time as a constable, a mechanic, a plow driver, and a handyman. He enjoyed his daily errands and nursing a glass of “dirty water” while watching the Bruins, “Walker, Texas Ranger,” or The Three Stooges.
Robert is predeceased by his parents, his sister Joan Leblanc, and many good friends. He is survived by his sister Diane Costello.
Stubborn until the very end, he leaves behind his unmoored family to navigate a new life without him. But above all, he leaves his devoted wife, Valerie, without whom nothing in his life would have been possible.
“Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.”
Robert’s family and friends will gather to remember “Papa” and raise a glass at noon on May 16, 2025, at the VFW Hall, 8 Church Street, Shirley.
In lieu of flowers, we welcome our friends to raise a toast in remembrance. Salute, Papa.
